Care group argues it doers not get enough cash from local authority to run the service
Scottish Autism says a vital care service will close unless it gets full financial backing from a local authority.
The charity has threatened to pull out from its service in Moray claiming it is not receiving cash from the council to cover national insurance and pension payments for staff associated with the living wage increase.
Scottish Autism says that means it can no longer run the service which currently provides 24 hour care for three children and one young adult.
It is currently in talks with Health and Social Care Moray in a bid to find a resolution to the problem.
Local MSP Richard Lochhead said the announcement had created uncertainty for numerous families across the region.
The Moray representative said he is eager to see an amicable agreement between the parties.
He added: “The many constituents who have contacted me are banking on an agreement to allow the current provision to continue.
“Families are extremely anxious given that vital support that is being provided for loved ones – they won’t know where to turn if they are withdrawn.
In November the leader of Moray Council claimed it could be "bankrupt" by 2019 if it is not given more money for services.
A Health and Social Care Moray spokesman said: “We are endeavouring to resolve the contractual issues with the charity.”
Meanwhile a coalition of charities have aired concerns autism services are being cutback in Scotland.
Tom McGhee, chairman, Spark of Genius, Duncan Dunlop, chief executive, Who Cares? Scotland, Stuart Jacob, director, Falkland House School and Niall Kelly, managing director, Young Foundations, issued the warning to mark World Autism Awareness Week (26 March - 2 April).
They called for more specialist training so that children with autism can be taught with specialist staff but said that cutbacks mean the amount of training and resources dedicated to autism, in schools and care settings, have been compromised.
